Shanghai launches action plan to enhance business services
Shanghai has released a three-year action plan for promoting the city's leasing and business services industry.
This plan aims to better concentrate core resources in key industries and regions, and sets a target for total operating revenue in the sector to exceed 1.5 trillion yuan ($215.1 billion) by 2028.
Targets for key sectors
The plan outlines specific targets and strategies for seven key sectors, as detailed below:
| Sector |
2028 Revenue Target |
Key Zones |
Development Focus |
| Digital Advertising |
More than 450 billion yuan |
Xuhui, Huangpu, and Putuo districts |
Build an international digital advertising capital; support AI and digital advertising integration; and establish a new job classification for generative AI advertising designer. |
| Human Resources Services |
300 billion yuan |
Pudong New Area, Jing'an and Huangpu districts |
Promote AI, HR, and Industry integration; develop high-value-added businesses such as executive search and talent assessment; and expand overseas operations. |
| Organizational Management Services |
300 billion yuan |
Pudong New Area, Jing'an, and Xuhui districts |
Attract multinational regional HQs and global business divisions; and establish clusters for private enterprise HQs. |
| Consulting & Research |
200 billion yuan |
Pudong New Area, Jing'an, and Huangpu districts |
Explore new fields such as health and environmental consulting; and support accounting/auditing firms in upgrading and global expansion. |
| Travel Agency & Related Services |
More than 55 billion yuan |
Changning district |
Attract and cultivate platform-based tourism enterprises; attract foreign travel agencies; develop high-value inbound and outbound tour products; and create new scenarios such as combining performances and tourism. |
| Exhibition & Convention Industry |
More than 25 billion yuan |
Pudong New Area, Xuhui, and Qingpu districts |
Attract globally renowned exhibitions; foster homegrown brand exhibitions; and reduce overall costs for organizers. |
| Legal Services |
More than 20 billion yuan |
Pudong New Area, Jing'an, and Xuhui districts |
Focus on commercial affairs, IP, data, and ESG; deepen legal tech construction and AI application; and support law firms in overseas expansion and joint operations with foreign entities. |
Talent policies
- Accelerating the development of a one-stop service platform for overseas professionals.
- Attracting high-end specialists in international legal, tax and arbitration services.
- Improving residency and entry–exit services for overseas professionals.
- Improving the list-based system for recognizing overseas professional qualifications.
- Integrating professional service talent into the high-level talent support system for benefits in immigration and healthcare.
Enterprise support
- Supporting enterprises to scale up through mergers and acquisitions as well as listings.
- Nurturing emerging players through a tiered cultivation system for high-growth and high-potential companies.
- Encouraging eligible districts to establish investment funds focused on specific industry tracks.
- Promoting access to public data resources.
- Ensuring support for enterprises' cross-border data export and accelerating implementation of the negative list system.
Source: General Office of Shanghai Municipal People's Government
Note: The English text is for reference only. In case of any discrepancies, the Chinese version shall prevail.